SFC Thomas L. Anderson of College Park , Ga. was 3rd Platoon Sgt from B Co, 1st bn, 9th Infantry (Manchu) stationed on Korea's DMZ at Camp's Greaves and Liberty Bell.
On 12 -7-1979 in an extremely heavy fog, he was commanding a patrol headed into Guard Post Oullette, not far from Panmunjom, which is literally on the MDL (Military Demarcation Line) on 3 sides, which is to say it is surrounded on 3 sides by North Korea.
The NCO who was sent to guide his patrol into the wire of GP Oullette from A Co 1/9th, became disoriented in the dense fog, and lost. At some point the patrol crossed into North Korea, and found themselves in an illegal, and unmarked North Korean Minefield. The lead element of the patrol set off several mines, leaving 2 ambulatory wounded , and 2 severely wounded to include their radio operator.
SFC Anderson set up a security perimeter, had the men begin probing thier way out of the minefiled, and tending to the wounded. The RTO and 1 other wounded rifleman were still in the minefield however, and without a second's hesitation, SFC Anderson went into the minefield to help the wounded rifleman carry the RTO out. As he laid his poncho out between them to use as a stretcher, he set off a mine. As he lay there still trying to get to his wounded men, he tried to roll over, and as he did so, exploded a second mine, killing him instantly.
(Written by: Dale W. Meadows)
On 12 -7-1979 in an extremely heavy fog, he was commanding a patrol headed into Guard Post Oullette, not far from Panmunjom, which is literally on the MDL (Military Demarcation Line) on 3 sides, which is to say it is surrounded on 3 sides by North Korea.
The NCO who was sent to guide his patrol into the wire of GP Oullette from A Co 1/9th, became disoriented in the dense fog, and lost. At some point the patrol crossed into North Korea, and found themselves in an illegal, and unmarked North Korean Minefield. The lead element of the patrol set off several mines, leaving 2 ambulatory wounded , and 2 severely wounded to include their radio operator.
SFC Anderson set up a security perimeter, had the men begin probing thier way out of the minefiled, and tending to the wounded. The RTO and 1 other wounded rifleman were still in the minefield however, and without a second's hesitation, SFC Anderson went into the minefield to help the wounded rifleman carry the RTO out. As he laid his poncho out between them to use as a stretcher, he set off a mine. As he lay there still trying to get to his wounded men, he tried to roll over, and as he did so, exploded a second mine, killing him instantly.
(Written by: Dale W. Meadows)
SFC Thomas L. Anderson of College Park , Ga. was 3rd Platoon Sgt from B Co, 1st bn, 9th Infantry (Manchu) stationed on Korea's DMZ at Camp's Greaves and Liberty Bell.
On 12 -7-1979 in an extremely heavy fog, he was commanding a patrol headed into Guard Post Oullette, not far from Panmunjom, which is literally on the MDL (Military Demarcation Line) on 3 sides, which is to say it is surrounded on 3 sides by North Korea.
The NCO who was sent to guide his patrol into the wire of GP Oullette from A Co 1/9th, became disoriented in the dense fog, and lost. At some point the patrol crossed into North Korea, and found themselves in an illegal, and unmarked North Korean Minefield. The lead element of the patrol set off several mines, leaving 2 ambulatory wounded , and 2 severely wounded to include their radio operator.
SFC Anderson set up a security perimeter, had the men begin probing thier way out of the minefiled, and tending to the wounded. The RTO and 1 other wounded rifleman were still in the minefield however, and without a second's hesitation, SFC Anderson went into the minefield to help the wounded rifleman carry the RTO out. As he laid his poncho out between them to use as a stretcher, he set off a mine. As he lay there still trying to get to his wounded men, he tried to roll over, and as he did so, exploded a second mine, killing him instantly.
(Written by: Dale W. Meadows)
On 12 -7-1979 in an extremely heavy fog, he was commanding a patrol headed into Guard Post Oullette, not far from Panmunjom, which is literally on the MDL (Military Demarcation Line) on 3 sides, which is to say it is surrounded on 3 sides by North Korea.
The NCO who was sent to guide his patrol into the wire of GP Oullette from A Co 1/9th, became disoriented in the dense fog, and lost. At some point the patrol crossed into North Korea, and found themselves in an illegal, and unmarked North Korean Minefield. The lead element of the patrol set off several mines, leaving 2 ambulatory wounded , and 2 severely wounded to include their radio operator.
SFC Anderson set up a security perimeter, had the men begin probing thier way out of the minefiled, and tending to the wounded. The RTO and 1 other wounded rifleman were still in the minefield however, and without a second's hesitation, SFC Anderson went into the minefield to help the wounded rifleman carry the RTO out. As he laid his poncho out between them to use as a stretcher, he set off a mine. As he lay there still trying to get to his wounded men, he tried to roll over, and as he did so, exploded a second mine, killing him instantly.
(Written by: Dale W. Meadows)
Inscription
SFC Anderson's final actions were keeping with the finest traditions of the US Army, the 9th Infantry Regiment, and the 2d Infantry Division; and reflect great credit upon him, his family, and his descendants! He died the epitome of what a SRNCO is, and what a MANCHU Warrior is supposed to be! Keep Up The Fire!
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